Biographical Note

NEW PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SOUTH AFRICA PRESENTS CREDENTIALS

(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

The new Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, Baso Sangqu, today presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

At the time of his appointment, Mr. Sangqu was Deputy Permanent Representative from 2007, having previously been South Africa’s Ambassador to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between November 2002 and 2006.

While working as Acting Chief Director for Economic Development, Multilateral Development and Cooperation in the Department of Foreign Affairs between October 2001 and 2002, Mr. Sangqu also served as Head of the Substance Unit for the ( Johannesburg) World Summit on Sustainable Development from February 2001 to 2002.

From July to October 2001, he was Acting Chief Director for Marine, Environment, Science and Technology, Multilateral Development and Cooperation.  He was appointed Director for Social and Economic Programmes, African Multilateral Development and Cooperation upon joining the Department of Foreign Affairs in October 2000.

His previous Government service included appointments as a Policy Analyst and Research Consultant, in the Economic and Development Section of the Office of the President, from March to July 2000, and Chief Education Specialist in the National Department of Education from January 1996 to May 1998.

Mr. Sangqu holds a Master’s degree in development economics from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and a Bachelor’s degree in commerce (economics and commercial law) from the University of Transkei.

Born on 21 April 1968, in Idutywa, Eastern Cape Province, he is married and has three children.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record